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Eagle Elite Baseball: SC's Hicks named Player of the Year

Sumiton Christian’s Joe Hicks runs to third base during a game against Dora this season.?Hicks is the Daily Mountain Eagle’s Baseball Player of the?Year. The junior hit .423 and was the Eagles’ ace on the mound.

Daily Mountain Eagle - Johnathan Bentley

In three playoff starts, Hicks struck out 31 batters in 16 2/3 innings. He finished the season with 108 strikeouts in just 56 innings.

Daily Mountain Eagle - Johnathan Bentley

Posted
Wednesday, July 4, 2018 12:27 am

By JOHNATHAN BENTLEY Eagle Sports Editor

Sumiton Christian returned to its spot as a state title contender on the baseball diamond in 2018 — and Joe Hicks was at the heart of the revival for coach Lance Blair’s Eagles.

The junior first baseman and pitcher was both Sumiton Christian’s top hitter as well as the ace on the mound.

“He can change a game in a moment’s notice with the stick,” Blair said of Hicks. “He has always been fundamentally sound, but now he’s more athletic. That’s been the game changer. He’s grown 4 or 5 inches and really worked on his agility and strength.”

Hicks hit .423 with a .521 on-base percentage in his junior season with 41 hits, 32 runs, 34 RBIs, 13 doubles, one triple, one home run and eight stolen bases.

On the mound, he was 5-4 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. In 56 innings, he allowed 25 hits and 40 walks while striking out 108.

Hicks is the Daily Mountain Eagle’s Baseball Player of the Year.

“He’s relentless when it comes to work ethic — that’s what sets him apart,” Blair added.

In the playoffs, Hicks was at his best. In six games, he was 7 of 18 with two doubles, a grand slam, seven runs and seven RBIs at the plate. He was 2-1 on the mound, striking out 31 batters in 16 2/3 innings while allowing seven hits and 11 walks. His playoff ERA was 1.68 with a 1.08 WHIP.

Against Isabella in the opening round, Hicks tossed a complete-game one-hitter, striking out 17 Mustangs. In the second round against Victory Christian, Hicks was at it again, striking out 10 while allowing four hits in seven innings. Millry finally got to Hicks in the third round, scoring four runs in 2 2/3 innings.

“I would say through the first two rounds of playoffs he basically was unhittable in both of those games,” Blair said.

Hicks also had one of the few highlights in the quarterfinals vs. Millry, belting a grand slam, in a 9-5 loss.

“He’s not just a good player, he’s a good person too. He’s really active in the community with special needs kids. He has a heart for that. Joe has been a part of so many different things, the ballet in Birmingham and the Night to Shine. I think he’s a complete person,” Blair said.